VIDEO: Gitex — a platform for innovation
- 18 Oct 2021
Sajjad Ahmad, Deputy Business Editor
The UAE digital transformation drive is on the right track and the country is leading the region by adopting latest technologies for more efficient operations and economic advancement.
Gitex, one of the most important technology events in the world, provides a platform for innovation and new ideas. This year’s mega show is started after the grand opening of Expo, will see a powerful exchange of insights and ideas from global companies as organization around the globe are showcasing their products and solutions.
The event has attracted a huge number of visitors on the second day and witnessed a number new announcement about the launch of new products.
Some of the top officials of various companies talked to the Gulf Today on the sidelines of the event about the new technologies, market trend and the their post-covid strategies.
Rashid Alahmedi, Chief Operations Officer, InfraX, the IT and telecommunications arm of Digital Dewa, said, “ The UAE government initiatives for digital transformation is progressing well and we at InfraX focusing on new plans to make our citites more smart and secure. We are excited by bringing the Smart City Experience to this global platform, which will reinforce our digital transformation capabilities to a bigger and larger audience.”
He added, “ Digital Dewa, displaying a range of ground-breaking solutions at the Gitex to revolutionise the future of digital services. Digital Dewa is showcase the Sustainable “Smart City Experience Platform” as it illustrates the 4 layers of how smart cities tackle the growing demands of urbanisation.”
He explained, “InfraX will connect people and organizations to the future with its IoT connectivity networks such as LoRA, SigFox, 5G private slicing, NBIOT and WiFi in order to support different industries. Similarly, InfraX also showcasing its advanced managed connectivity solutions alongside a state-of-the-art LoRa based Low Power Wide Area wireless Network for Internet of things (IoT) connectivity and latest solutions. “
Alahmedi said about the market growth, “The global fiber optics market reached a value of $ 6.7 billion in 2020 and the future looks bright for the fibre optic cable market, with Business Wire predicting a 12% compound annual growth rate by the year 2024. The increasing demand for internet services is the key factor driving the market. Owing to the rapidly growing digitally-literate population, the demand for high bandwidth communication and data transmission services is on the rise, which has led to the steady growth in the telecommunications and information technology sector.”
He added, “This has consequently increased the demand for fiber optics as it is integral for effectively transmitting data, voice messages and images over vast distances.”
About Dewa’s role in the Expo 2020 Dubai, He said, “ Dewa is the partner of the Expo and we are showcasing our solutions to global visitors at the mega event.”
du, Digital Dewa tieup:
du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), on monday announced a new collaboration with Digital Dewa, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and its subsidiary, InfraX, to develop a new 5G use case for smart grids in the city.
The leading UAE telco provider has made invaluable 5G contributions to Emirati society since rollout activities began, providing residents, businesses, and industries with valuable connectivity benefits through the technology.
With 5G housing the capabilities to drive transformative and sustainable impacts, InfraX will now access a highly capable 5G network to deliver a seamless use case that bolsters on-site operational efficiency.
Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO, EITC, said, “du has always been immensely proud of its track record for supporting government entities on integral sustainability projects and ensuring they integrate the necessary technological capabilities for desired outcomes. Therefore, we are delighted to be honouring this tradition once more alongside Digital DEWA and its subsidiary Infra X. This year, we have worked together to deliver numerous tech-based use cases for digital transformation purposes, and the shared success we have enjoyed means we enter this latest project even more prepared. 5G is a fundamental pillar of our society now and in the future, and we are enthused by the prospect of facilitating 5G benefits to propel the industry to new heights.”
Inspired by a shared vision to drive digital transformation through 5G, du will support InfraX and Digital DEWA with 5G use cases integration for operational purposes. With boosting efficiency and reducing water and power supply industry costs topmost priorities in the years ahead, the two parties will deliver on these obligations by automating related processes through the use of robots and drones. With these key enablers set for immediate implementation, project deliverables will subsequently be met through a series of 5G network features and functionalities, including cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent power distribution systems, edge computing analytics, thermal cameras, site inspections, video streams, and live broadcasting.
From his side, Marwan bin Haidar, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of Digital DEWA, said, “As Digital DEWA looks to the future, new technologies will be crucial to supporting the government’s vision to promote sustainable development and drive energy and water usage efficiency. We are delighted to announce our collaboration between InfraX and du to meet upcoming technology and transformation aspirations for the local community .”
Microsoft focuses on sustainability:
Mohammed Arif, Business Group Director, Modern Work and Security, Microsoft UAE, said,” Gitex Global 2021 is milestone event for us and we see it as big opportunity in the post-covid era. The response is outstanding and our main focus this year is more secure and sustainable solutions.”
He said,” our flagship showcase will be company’s partnership with Schneider Electric and AVEVA to provide an Azure-based, next-generation smart city platform for management of resource consumption, traffic and public safety.”
Arif said, “Microsoft will continue looking towards what the future of work, introducing Gitex delegates to a range of products and solutions that allow employees to work, learn, and play under new flexible relationships with employers, all fuelled by the intelligent cloud and its attendant technologies. From the new Windows 11 to Surface 4 laptops, the company will show how a balance can be struck between in-person and digital collaboration. Also on display will be the latest Microsoft Teams features and Viva Connections, which is Microsoft’s suite of solutions designed to promote employee wellbeings.”
He said,” We are in advance talk with some companies for business deals currently and we expects a lot a of more agreement in the near future.”
Arif concluded, “Microsoft mapped out its vision for a more sustainable future and what it means for the UAE government’s National Agenda 2030, when the company made its annual appearance at Gitex Global.”
Exhibiting under the theme “Creating a Bolder Digital Future Together,” the company met with customers and partners, while reaffirming its steadfast commitment to the UAE, its government, and its people. Microsoft this year put a spotlight on the next generation smart city solutions, which will enable the country to reach its sustainable development goals.
“Gitex is the home of innovation in the region,” said Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “This is where everyone comes together to be inspired and hear about the next big technological breakthroughs. At Microsoft, we constantly strive to find solutions to th e most pressing challenges of our time, and few things are more pressing today than solving the issue of climate change. This year, Microsoft is challenging everyone to imagine a more sustainable future, by experiencing how smart cities can become part of the climate solution.”